Early Start Is Likely Best When Fishing For Bass

Osceola Sports - Osceola Fishing

July 27, 2001|By Nancy Smith, Sentinel correspondent

Steady rain has made fishing difficult. But cloudy skies have made hot summer days bearable until dangerous thunderstorms chase anglers off lakes.

Fred Varner, an expert live-bait angler, was the envy of commuters on Neptune Road in Kissimmee last weekend. Anchored just off the current running under the bridge on Neptune Road, he baited hooks with live shiners, then plopped on a platform with a cup of coffee. Catching fish seemed less important than just being there.

Creeks and streams are running hard, fed by storm-water runoff.

Shingle Creek on Lake Tohopekaliga has been running so hard that boats are having a difficult time holding in the current. The mouth of that creek is a prime early- morning place to catch bass right now, evidenced by guide boats that are anchored with heavy weights.

On Wednesday, six boats visible from the highway were anchored at the creek's mouth. They were catching plenty of bass.

Guide Jerry Sloan put clients on 23 bass, some 5-pounders. An 8-pounder was caught earlier in the week as big and small bass are busting small shad on the surface.

Small domestic shiners will work, but if you fish the Shingle Creek, get out before daylight to claim a productive spot and be sure boat running lights are working properly.

Floodgates are open at Southport and the St. Cloud Canal. With plenty of runoff water pouring into Lake Tohopekaliga and forging out at Southport, the water level is near 531/2 feet, which is above normal low-pool.

Lakes Cypress, Hatchineha and Kissimmee are all above normal low-pool stage. Lake Cypress is nearing 51 feet. So, with levels at normal summer pool levels, there should be no problems for boaters navigating the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. Just be careful of the sandbar at the end of Southport Canal.

Because the mouth of Shingle Creek is crowded, locals use knowledge of waterways to fish other creeks and ditches.

After heavy rain, there is flow under bridges on Neptune and Aultman roads. Water runs out of the Partin's agricultural ditch into Geech's Cove, from a ditch at Overstreet's, and out of Bronson's ditch on Lake Tophekaliga's southeast side.

Additionally, rain promotes flowing water from Friar's cove, and the city of Kissimmee's ditch near the city's public launch ramp. Other smaller ditches may have flows, too. If you can't find bass in currents, try the middle of a lake in submerged hydrilla.

Lake Cypress should be productive now, with current running through clumps of hydrilla in open water. The middle of Lake Hatchineha has plenty of bass-holding submerged hydrilla. Those lakes have not been subjected to the fishing pressure that Lake Tohopekaliga has been and should provide good action.

Fishing tip: If you simply want to enjoy wetting a line, use live crickets or worms and fish from piers along Kissimmee's lakeshore. Pier fishermen are hooking fat bluegill.